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Did you know that violations of fall protection regulations can result in personnel and company fines in the range of thousands of dollars? Or that injuries or deaths resulting from fall protection violations can result in legal action and cost companies tens of thousands of dollars? Recently one such story was published by CBC Saskatchewan http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/safety-violation-saskatchewan-employer-occupational-health-1.4030827 Thankfully, more companies than not are now taking fall protection very seriously in Saskatchewan, and Northern Strands is here to help!

Our Northern Strands Fall Protection Division is often asked, "What are the OH&S regulations regarding fall arrest personnel protective equipment and general fall protection in Saskatchewan?" Or the similar question, "What are the roof fall protection requirements in Saskatchewan?" For the convenience of our customers and clients we have posted the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations relating to fall arrest personnel protective equipment and fall protection in the second half of this blog...

Additional fall protection questions Northern Strands Fall Protection is regularly asked, "What are my responsibilities as an employer? What kind of fall protection plan do I need and how to I implement it?" These are all very good questions that we are more than happy to answer. However the answers can potentially vary depending on the situation. In most cases our Fall Protection Team will need to visit the site to perform an assessment and provide a recommendation or quote.

Contact the Northern Strands Fall Protection Division today to find out more about OH&S fall protection regulations in Saskatchewan by requesting an assessment. We specialize in the design and installation of roof fall protection systems.

(8)a protective thimble is used to protect ropes or straps from chafing whenever a rope or strap is connected to an eye or a D-ring used in the full- body harness or connecting linkage; and

(9)the connecting linkage is attached to a personal fall arrest system, lifeline or secure anchor point to prevent the worker from falling more than 1.2 metres.

10 Aug 2007 SR 67/2007 s8.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY, 1996

61

O-1.1 REG 1

Snap hooks on personal fall arrest system

(k)Where a snap hook is used as an integral component of a personal fall arrest system, connecting linkage, full-body harness or lifeline, an employer or contractor shall ensure that the snap hook is self-locking and is approved and maintained.

10 Aug 2007 SR 67/2007 s8.

Lanyards

(l)An employer or contractor shall ensure that a lanyard:

•is as short as work conditions permit;

•is constructed of:

•nylon, polyester or polypropylene rope or webbing; or

•wire rope that is equipped with an approved shock absorbing device;

•is equipped with suitable snap hooks; and

•is approved and maintained.

4 Oct 96 cO-1.1 Reg 1 s105.

Workers’ responsibilities re lifelines, etc.

106(1) Before using a lifeline or lanyard, a worker shall ensure that the lifeline or lanyard:

(10)is free of imperfections, knots and splices, other than end terminations;

(11)is protected by padding where the lifeline or lanyard passes over sharp edges; and

(12)is protected from heat, flame or abrasive or corrosive materials during use.

(2)Before using a vertical lifeline, a worker shall ensure that:

(a)the lower end extends to the ground or to a safe landing; and

(b)the lifeline is protected at the lower end to ensure that the line cannot be fouled by any equipment.

(3)Before using a full-body harness, a worker shall ensure that the full-body harness:

(a)is properly adjusted to fit the worker securely; and

(b)subject to subsection 274(5), is attached by means of a connecting linkage to a fixed anchor or a lifeline.

(4)A worker who uses a full-body harness and connecting linkage shall ensure that the connecting linkage is attached to a personal fall arrest system, lifeline or a fixed anchor.

4 Oct 96 cO-1.1 Reg 1 s106; 10 Aug 2007 SR

67/2007 s9.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY, 1996

62

O-1.1 REG 1

Inspection of full body harness, etc.

107(1) Where the use of a connecting linkage, personal fall arrest system, full-body harness or lifeline is required by these regulations, an employer or contractor shall ensure that a competent person:

(13)inspects or contractor shall ensure that a worker inspects the connecting linkage, personal fall arrest system, full-body harness or lifeline before each use and that where a defect or unsafe condition that may create a hazard to a worker is identified in a connecting linkage, personal fall arrest system, full-body harness or lifeline:

(a)steps are taken immediately to protect the health and safety of any worker who may be at risk until the defect is repaired or the unsafe condition is corrected; and

(b)as soon as is reasonably practicable, the defect is repaired or the unsafe condition is corrected.

10 Aug 2007 SR 67/2007 s10.

Protection against drowning

108(1) In this section:

(5)“buoyant apparatus” means a device that is capable of supporting the weight in water of a worker and that is constructed to:

(a)remain stable when floating on either side;

(b)have no projections that would prevent the buoyant apparatus from sliding easily over the side of a boat or ship; and

(c)require no adjustment before use;

(6)“life jacket” means an approved device that is capable of keeping a worker’s head above water in a face-up position without effort by the worker;

(7)“personal flotation device” means an approved device that is capable of keeping a worker’s head above water without effort by the worker, and

includes a device that is designed to protect a worker against hypothermia.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY, 1996

63

O-1.1 REG 1

(2) Where a worker is required to work at a place from which the worker could fall and drown, and the worker is not protected by a guardrail, an employer or contractor shall:

(m)provide the worker with a life jacket and ensure that the worker uses it, and ensure that the rescue equipment and personnel described in subsection (3) are readily available;

(n)provide the worker with a full-body harness and lifeline and ensure that the worker uses them; or

(o)ensure that a net is installed that is capable of safely catching the worker if the worker falls.

(b)a buoyant apparatus attached to a nylon rope that is not less than nine millimetres in diameter and not less than 15 metres long; and

(c)a sufficient number of properly equipped and trained workers to implement rescue procedures.

(15)An employer or contractor shall ensure that a life jacket or personal flotation device is provided for each worker who is transported by boat or works from a boat, and that each worker uses the life jacket or personal flotation device at all times when the worker is in the boat.

4 Oct 96 cO-1.1 Reg 1 s108.

PART IX

Safeguards, Storage, Warning Signs and Signals

Interpretation

115 In this Part, “toeboard” means a low vertical guard that is located at the outer edge of a platform, scaffold, floor, stair or walkway and that is designed to prevent materials or equipment from falling over the edge.

4 Oct 96 cO-1.1 Reg 1 s115.

Protection against falling

116(1) In this section and sections 116.1 to 116.3:

(a)“anchor point” or “anchor plate” means a secure connecting point capable of safely withstanding the impact forces applied by a fall protection system;

(b)“control zone” means the area within two metres of an unguarded edge of a level, elevated work surface of three metres or more in height;

(c)“fall protection system” means:

•a control zone as required pursuant to section 116.2;

•a personal fall arrest system;

•a safety net; or

(iv) a travel restraint system;

(d)“permanent” means intended and designed to last indefinitely;

(e)“similar barrier” means any barrier that the employer or contractor can demonstrate provides a level of protection that is at least equivalent to a guardrail;

(f)“temporary” means:

•designed to be removed by the last workers using it before commissioning or turnover to the contractor or owner; and

•intended and designed to last not more than one year;

(g)“travel restraint system” means a system that prevents a worker from travelling to the edge of a structure or to a work position from which the worker could fall.

(2)An employer or contractor shall ensure that workers use a fall protection system at a temporary or permanent work area where:

(a)a worker may fall three metres or more; or

(b)there is a possibility of injury if a worker falls less than three metres.

(3)An employer or contractor shall ensure that a worker at a permanent work area is protected from falling by a guardrail or similar barrier if the worker may fall a vertical distance of more than 1.2 metres and less than three metres.

(4)Notwithstanding subsection (3), where the use of a guardrail or similar barrier is not reasonably practicable, an employer or contractor shall ensure that a worker uses a travel restraint system.

(5)Notwithstanding subsection (4), where the use of a travel restraint system is not reasonably practicable, an employer or contractor shall ensure that a safety net or control zone or other equally effective means that protects the worker from falling is used.

(6)Subsection (2) does not apply to competent workers who are engaged in:

(a)connecting the structural members of a skeletal steel structure or a pre-cast structure;

(2)connecting the support structure of a scaffold;

(3)stabilizing or securing the load on a truck or trailer;

(2)installing or attaching a fall protection system to the anchor point;

(3)removing or disassembling the associated parts of a fall protection system when it is no longer required; or

(4)activities within the normal course of business on a permanent loading dock that is not greater than 1.2 metres in height.

10 Aug 2007 SR 67/2007 s11.

Fall protection plan

116.1(1) An employer or contractor shall develop a written fall protection plan where:

(h)a worker may fall three metres or more; and

(i)workers are not protected by a guardrail or similar barrier.

(7)The fall protection plan required by subsection (1) must describe:

(a)the fall hazards at the worksite;

(b)the fall protection system to be used at the worksite;

(c)the procedures used to assemble, maintain, inspect, use and disassemble the fall protection system; and

(d)the rescue procedures to be used if a worker falls, is suspended by a personal fall arrest system or safety net and needs to be rescued.

(8)The employer or contractor shall ensure that a copy of the fall protection plan is readily available before work begins at a worksite where a risk of falling exists.

(9)The employer or contractor shall ensure that a worker is trained in the fall protection plan and the safe use of the fall protection system before allowing the worker to work in an area where a fall protection system must be used.

10 Aug 2007 SR 67/2007 s11.

Control zone

116.2(1) An employer or contractor shall ensure that a control zone:

(a)is only used if a worker can fall from a level surface in a work area; and

(b)is not less than two metres wide when measured from the unguarded edge.

(4)When crossing a control zone mentioned in subsection (1), a worker:

(a)subject to subsection (4) is not required to use a fall protection system, other than the control zone, to enter or leave the work area; and

(b)shall follow the most direct route to get to or from the unguarded edge.

(5)An employer or contractor shall ensure that a control zone is clearly marked with an effective raised warning line or other equally effective method if a worker is working more than two metres from an unguarded edge.

(6)An employer or contractor shall ensure that a worker who has to work within a control zone uses:

(a)a travel restraint system; or

(b)a means that is as equally effective as a travel restraint system and that prevents the worker from getting to the unguarded edge.

10 Aug 2007 SR 67/2007 s11.

Anchor Points and Anchor Plates

116.3(1) Where a worker uses a personal fall arrest system or a travel restraint system, an employer, contractor or owner shall ensure that an anchor point or anchor plate that meets the requirements of this section is used as part of that system.

(j)An employer, contractor or owner shall ensure that a temporary anchor point used in a travel restraint system:

•has an ultimate load capacity of at least 3.5 kilonewtons (800 pounds-force) per worker attached in any direction in which the load may be applied;

•is installed and used according to the manufacturer’s specifications;

•is permanently marked as being for travel restraint only; and

•is removed by the last worker from use on the earlier of:

•the date the work project for which it is intended is completed; and

•the time specified by the manufacturer.

(k)An employer, contractor or owner shall ensure that a permanent anchor point used in a travel restraint system associated with any new construction project on or after the date this section comes into force:

•has an ultimate load capacity of at least 8.75 kilonewtons (2 000 pounds-force) per worker attached in any direction in which the load may be applied;

•is installed and used according to the manufacturer’s specifications; and

•is permanently marked as being for travel restraint only.

(l)In the case of a personal fall arrest system installed on or after one year after the date this section comes into force, an employer, contractor, owner or supplier shall ensure that anchor points to which the personal fall arrest system is attached have an ultimate load capacity of at least 22.2 kilonewtons (5000 pounds-force) per worker attached in any direction in which the load may be applied.

(m)An employer, contractor, owner or supplier shall ensure that the following types of equipment that are components of fall protection systems, and their installation, conform to the manufacturer’s specifications or are certified by a professional engineer:

•permanent anchor points;

(10)anchors with multiple attachment points;

(11)permanent horizontal lifeline systems;

(12)support structures for safety nets.

10 Aug 2007 SR 67/2007 s11.

Elevated conveyors

(n)Where an elevated conveyor crosses over a place where a worker may pass or work, an employer, contractor or owner shall ensure that suitable precautions are taken to prevent materials on the conveyor from falling on the worker.

4 Oct 96 cO-1.1 Reg 1 s117.

Wire mesh

(o)Where wire mesh is required by these regulations, the wire mesh must:

•be made from wire that is at least 1.6 millimetres in diameter; and

•have a mesh size that is not greater than 40 millimetres by 40 millimetres.

4 Oct 96 cO-1.1 Reg 1 s118.

Protection against falling objects

119(1) Subject to section 120, where a worker is required to work in an area where the worker may be in danger from a falling object, an employer, contractor or owner shall ensure that the worker is adequately protected by the installation of an overhead barrier.

(2) An employer, contractor or owner shall ensure that every area where a worker could be struck by a falling object is clearly marked by barriers, notices, warning lights or other warning devices.

4 Oct 96 cO-1.1 Reg 1 s119.

Protection from objects falling from scaffolds, etc.

120(1) Where a suspended scaffold, suspended powered scaffold or load-carrying unit is suspended from or attached to a structure, an employer, contractor or owner shall ensure that wire mesh, or other material equally effective to prevent objects from falling from the working surface, is installed from the working surface to a height of at least 900 millimetres on all sides except the side adjacent to the structure.

(13)An employer, contractor or owner shall ensure that wire mesh is installed from the working surface of a platform to a height of two metres on all sides of:

(a)a tower hoist as defined in section 199;

(7)a building shaft hoist; and

(8)a hoist cage in an excavated shaft.

(3) Where it is necessary to hoist or lower materials that are of such a nature that the sides of a cantilever hoist platform or skip cannot be equipped as required by subsection (1), an employer, contractor or owner shall provide another equally

effective means for the protection of workers against falling materials.

(p)Where it is necessary for workers to pass through a safeguard required by this section, an employer, contractor or owner shall install a gate that is equally effective to prevent objects from falling from the working surface and shall ensure that the gate is kept closed except when the gate is in use.

4 Oct 96 cO-1.1 Reg 1 s120.

Handrails

121(1) An employer, contractor or owner shall ensure that a stairway with five or more treads:

•is equipped with a handrail that:

(14)extends the entire length of the stairway;

(15)is adequately secured to the structure;

(9)is installed on the stairway at a height of between 800 and 920 millimetres above the front edge of the treads; and

(10)is strong enough to support a worker who falls on the stairway; and

(b) on an open side, is equipped with both a handrail and an intermediate rail or equivalent safeguard.

(5)Where a handrail is required for a temporary stairway to which subsection (1) applies, an employer, contractor or owner shall ensure that the handrail is constructed of at least 38 by 89 millimetre construction grade lumber, or material of equivalent strength, and is supported by posts that are not more than three metres apart.

4 Oct 96 cO-1.1 Reg 1 s121.

Guardrails

122(1) Subject to subsections (2) to (4), where the installation of a guardrail is required by these regulations, an employer, contractor or owner shall ensure that the guardrail:

(a)has a horizontal top member that is not less than 920 millimetres and not more than 1070 millimetres above the working surface;

(b)has a horizontal intermediate member that is spaced midway between the horizontal top member and the working surface;

(c)is supported for the entire length of the guardrail by vertical members that are:

(i)not more than three metres apart, in the case of a guardrail installed before the coming into force of this section; and

(ii)where reasonably practicable, not more than 2.4 metres apart, in the case of a guardrail installed on or after the coming into force of this section;

(d)is capable of supporting a worker who may fall against the guardrail; and

(e)is constructed of 38 by 89 millimetre construction grade lumber or other

materials that are of equal or greater strength.

(2) Clause (1)(a) does not apply to a guardrail that:

(q)was installed on or before October 30, 1988; and

(r)is not less than 900 millimetres nor more than one metre above the working surface.

(16)A horizontal intermediate member is not required in the case of a temporary guardrail that is manufactured with a substantial barrier completely filling the area enclosed by the horizontal top member, a horizontal bottom member and the vertical members.

(17)A wire rope guardrail may be used at the external perimeter of a building under construction.

(18)Where a wire rope guardrail is used pursuant to subsection (4), an employer, contractor or owner shall ensure that:

(a)the guardrail consists of a horizontal top member and a horizontal intermediate member made of wire rope that is not less than 9.5 millimetres in diameter, with vertical separators not less than 50 millimetres wide that are spaced at intervals not exceeding 2.4 metres;

(b)the horizontal top member and horizontal intermediate member are positioned above the working surface in accordance with clauses (1)(a) and (b);

(c)the guardrail is kept taut by means of a turnbuckle or other appropriate device; and

(d)the guardrail is arranged so that a worker coming into contact with the ropes cannot fall through the ropes.

(19)An employer, contractor or owner shall ensure that no worker hangs equipment on a guardrail.

4 Oct 96 cO-1.1 Reg 1 s122.

Toeboards

123(1) An employer, contractor or owner shall provide toeboards at the edge of:

(11)a permanent floor, platform, mezzanine, walkway, ramp, runway or other surface from which it is possible for materials to fall more than 1.2 metres;

(12)a temporary scaffold or work platform from which it is possible for materials to fall more than three metres; and

(13)a pit for a flywheel or pulley.

(6)Subsection (1) does not apply to a loading or unloading area if the employer, contractor or owner has taken other precautions to ensure that materials will not fall from the floor or other horizontal surface.

(7)Where a toeboard is required by these regulations, an employer, contractor or owner shall ensure that the toeboard extends from the floor or other horizontal surface to a height of not less than:

(a)125 millimetres from the floor or surface; or

(b)100 millimetres from the floor or surface, in the case of a toeboard that was installed before March 13, 1986.

4 Oct 96 cO-1.1 Reg 1 s123.

Openings in floors, roofs, etc.

124(1) An employer, contractor or owner shall ensure that any opening or hole in a floor, roof or other work surface into which a worker could step or fall is:

(s)covered with a securely installed covering that is capable of supporting a load of 360 kilograms per square metre and that is provided with a warning sign or permanent marking clearly indicating the nature of the hazard; or

(t)provided with a guardrail and a toeboard.

(2) Where the covering or guardrail and toeboard mentioned in subsection (1) or any part of the guardrail or toeboard is removed for any reason, an employer, contractor or owner shall immediately provide an effective alternative means of protection.

4 Oct 96 cO-1.1 Reg 1 s124.

Building shafts

125(1) An employer, contractor or owner shall ensure that a work platform that is an integral part of a slip form used in a building shaft is designed by a professional engineer to withstand the maximum foreseeable load and is constructed, erected and used in accordance with that design.

(20)An employer, contractor or owner shall ensure that a platform mentioned in subsection (1) that has been moved is examined by a competent person and that a written report of the examination is made by the person who carried it out and kept by the employer, contractor or owner.

(21)An employer, contractor or owner shall not require or permit a worker to work on a platform mentioned in subsection (1) that has been moved before the platform has been examined in accordance with subsection (2), unless the worker is using a personal fall arrest system, a full-body harness, a lanyard or a lifeline that meets the requirements of Part VII.

(22)Where there is no work platform installed at the level of a doorway or opening in a building shaft, an employer, contractor or owner shall ensure that the doorway or opening is covered by a solid barrier that extends from the bottom of the doorway or opening to a height of at least two metres and is capable of preventing a worker or loose material from falling down the shaft.

(23)An employer, contractor or owner shall ensure that at least one warning sign indicating the presence of an open building shaft is placed on a barrier erected pursuant to subsection (4).

4 Oct 96 cO-1.1 Reg 1 s125; 10 Aug 2007 SR

67/2007 s12.

Safety nets

126 Where a safety net is required by these regulations, an employer, contractor or owner shall ensure that the safety net:

(w)has joints between the net panels that are equal in strength to the net;

(x)extends at least two metres beyond, and is not more than six metres below, the work area; and

(y)is installed and maintained so that, at the maximum deflection of the net when arresting the fall of a worker, no portion of the net contacts another surface.

4 Oct 96 cO-1.1 Reg 1 s126; 10 Aug 2007 SR

67/2007 s13.

Storage tanks

127(1) Where a worker is regularly required to walk or work on top of a storage tank, an employer, contractor or owner shall ensure that the storage tank is fitted with a permanent walkway with guardrails.

(2) Where a worker is required to walk or work on top of a storage tank, an employer, contractor or owner shall ensure that any opening in the tank into which a worker may fall is guarded by a grid or other suitable means to prevent the worker from falling into the tank.